One of Michael Graves' first non-domestic commissions, this regional library is located across the street from the Mission of San Juan Capistrano and near the center of the old town.  In this small one-story building (about 12000 square feet) Graves borrows from the local Spanish idiom, using stucco walls, mission clay roof tiles, wooden beams, mini-towers, small punched windows, light monitors, stencil ornament, and loggias around a central courtyard.

Male Rufous Hummingbird

Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano behind public library. Library is by architect Michael Graves.

The pomegranate is native to Persia and is grown here in California as well as in Arizona. The beautiful orange-red trumpet shaped flowers with ruffled petals are absolutely spectacular.

formal flower attire

Yellow dinner jacket with formal trousers for coastal summer climate. ... Coordinating colors to match the flowers is always acceptable. Ties and cummerbunds are optional.
Fortunately for me yellowjackets do not usually sting when away from the nest. Unlike honey bees, these insects have a smooth stinger and can sting repeatedly. It's not a wise move to crush a yellowjacket. A dying yellowjacket worker releases an alarm pheromone that alerts its nest mates. In just a few seconds, you could find yourself surrounded by angry wasps.
The number of workers in the nest will reach its highest population level in about another month (up to 5000 worker), then the numbers will begin to gradually decline until the onset of significant rainfall.

The Hummingbird

The sunlight speaks, and its voice is a bird:
It glimmers half-guessed, half-seen, half-heard,
Above the flowerbed, over the lawn--
A flashing dip, and it is gone,
And all it lends to the eye is this--
A sunbeam giving the air a kiss.

wild, but cute feral cat

When shelters/feral rescue groups trap feral cats and spay and neuter they often clip one ear tip so at a distance they're able to see whether cats have already been spayed or neutered or not. This is a feral cat with it's left ear clipped.